Pushing a Country Along

This article characterizes quite well, through interviews with several troops, the disillusionment that can quell and sober up even gung-ho army men. And when the military men and women on the frontlines (as if there are any in Iraq) become in touch with this reality--that this war is not worth the price--it should alert the brass and politicians of their folly. Many people who know a heck of a lot about war, and this war in particular, are speaking to the fact the military has done it's job. We have overthrown a ruthless dictator. The beginning of a reasonable withdrawal is overdue. Because nation-building is about so much more than the military; it is about winning the now cliche' "hearts and minds" of the people and building alliances. This is surely something this administration is horrible at doing. Herein lies the problem. This is also why anti-American sentiment is at an all-time high. If we ever needed a change in government, NOW IS THAT TIME.

Forgotten Front

Afghanistan may very well be the forgotten front in the war on terror.

No one apparently listened a couple years ago. Is anybody listening now?
http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=233756
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3731/is_200407/ai_n9427422
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=35367
http://www.issues2000.org/Archive/Kerry-Edwards_Homeland_Security.htm

Stability?

Here I go again, seeing the glass as half-empty. You can call be a nay-saying, cut-and-run, liberal, but read this article and then tell me all about the progress in winning the peace in Iraq. Briefly, the story discusses the governor of Anbar Province, Mamoon Sami Rashid, who has survived a remarkable 29 assassination attempts amidst the violent chaos that has included the kidnapping and killing of his predecessor, Raja Nawaf, the shooting of his deputy, Talib al-Dulaimi, the assassination of Khidr Abdeljabar Abbas, the chairman of the provincial council, and last but not least, the beheading of the governor's secretary last month.

Moral Relativism

You want to talk about moral relativism? Then check out this post over at davenetics. It provides a thought-provoking argument for how some (e.g., the Bush administration comes to mind) can pick and choose the 'axis of evil' but one really must give credit--or discredit in this case--where it is due.

Things you have to believe to be a Republican today:

• Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
• The U.S. should get out of the U.N. but our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.
  
• Jesus loves you and shares your hatred of homosexuals.
  
• The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing
  veterans' benefits and combat pay.
  
• Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is
  socialism.
  
• Like oil companies, HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.
  
• Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it 's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

Friends no longer let friends vote Republican.